[Treatment and prognosis of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma]

To investigate the treatment model and the factors that influence survival of the patients with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC).

The clinical data of all patients with ATC in our hospital from May. 1970 to May. 2005 were analyzed retrospectively with regard to mortality and survival rate (Kaplan-Meier). Multivariate analysis was performed by the Cox proportional hazard model.

Fifty cases together were analyzed. The overall 1-year, 3-year, 5-year survival rate were 39.4%, 29.6% and 20.7% respectively. The median survival time was 6 months. Univariate analysis showed the patients with their age < 55 years old, without distant metastasis, white blood cell count < 10.0 x 10(9)/L at presentation, without receiving chemotherapy, receiving radiotherapy with the dose no less than 40 Gy, receiving multiple modality therapy had a better prognosis. White blood cell count at presentation, the model of therapy were the risk factors independently influencing prognosis by multivariate analysis.

White blood cell count at presentation, receiving surgery and postoperative radiotherapy or not were the risk factors independently influencing prognosis. The prognosis of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma was worse; the patients with ATC maybe get a better prognosis by receiving surgery and postoperative radiotherapy.